I received support from Blood Cancer United, and without it, I truly don’t know how my family would have survived. In March 2021, in the middle of the pandemic, I found out I was pregnant on my birthday. I was overjoyed and assumed my constant exhaustion was simply part of early pregnancy. As the weeks passed, however, my symptoms worsened. I experienced night sweats, unexplained bruising, shortness of breath, and extreme fatigue.
In April 2021, after routine bloodwork at my OB-GYN, I was diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome–positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL). I was only 11 weeks pregnant. I truly believe my son saved my life — I don’t think I would have had bloodwork done so early if I hadn’t been pregnant.
There was never any doubt that I wanted to continue my pregnancy. My husband and I listened carefully to our doctors and trusted the science. The oncology and maternal-fetal medicine teams provided extraordinary care. After contracting meningitis, I went into labor at 32½ weeks. My miracle baby — who endured seven rounds of chemotherapy alongside me — was born perfect. Small, but mighty. He spent 37 days in the NICU. I continued chemotherapy and achieved remission.
A few months later, I relapsed. My only chance at survival was a bone marrow transplant. My younger brother was a half-match. Before the transplant, I developed a severe fungal (PCP) pneumonia that nearly took my life and delayed the transplant by four months. During my recovery, I was treated with immunotherapy.
On October 2, 2022, I was admitted to the hospital for my transplant. The day before, I celebrated my son’s first birthday. I didn’t know if I would ever see him again, and the weight of that uncertainty is impossible to describe. After everything I had endured to bring him into the world, it felt like it could all be taken away. On October 7, 2022, I received my transplant. I spent 31 days in the hospital, and after being discharged, I went eight weeks without seeing my son while I recovered. It was the darkest period of my life.
Thirty days post-transplant, a bone marrow biopsy showed no evidence of cancer, and my BCR-ABL was undetectable. Against all odds, it appeared the transplant had worked.
One month later, I relapsed again. I came to terms with the possibility that this might be the end. I placed complete trust in my medical team and allowed them to fight for me. I believed my oncologist when she told me she thought she could get me back into remission. She is truly an angel on earth, and I believe God placed her in my life to save both my son and me.
Today, three years later, I am in remission and feeling fantastic. My son is now four years old and thriving. He was diagnosed with autism last year, which brings challenges, but it doesn’t diminish my gratitude. We understood the risks, and I am simply so thankful to have him here. He is in ABA therapy and receiving all the support his doctors recommended. He is a special, incredibly intelligent boy who fills my life with immeasurable joy. He saved my life, and I am committed to helping him reach his fullest potential.
It took a long time for me to accept that my cancer and pregnancy were intertwined. I still live with both mental and physical side effects, but life is good. I know how fortunate I am, and I plan to spend the rest of my life advocating for others. I have also spent the past 20 years working as a scientist, largely inspired by watching my grandmother die from lung cancer at a young age. Cancer impacted my life so deeply that I dedicated my career to helping develop treatments for it. I never imagined I would experience it myself — especially at such a young age. While I live with lasting side effects, cancer will always be part of my story, and I choose to use that experience for good.
I continue to participate in Light The Night (LTN) and other Blood Cancer United fundraisers because Blood Cancer United supported me both financially and emotionally when I needed it most. I would be honored to share my story, as I hope it can inspire others who are facing similar challenges.
Renata
Philadelphia chromosome–positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL)
